2022 Northwest Herald Boys Swimmer of the Year: Cary-Grove co-op’s Ben Castro

Cary-Grove co-op boys swimming coach Scott Lattyak has high praise for Ben Castro.

“Amongst all the legends on the team, this guy is probably No. 1,” Lattyak said of Castro, who will compete next year at NCAA Division II Tampa.

It’s hard to argue against the sparkling resume of Castro, a senior at Crystal Lake Central, who challenged the program’s best individual finish at state this year and qualified in nine total events (five individual, four relays) throughout his high school career.

Castro took fifth in the 100-yard butterfly at this year’s IHSA Boys Swimming and Diving State Meet at FMC Natatorium in Westmont, leaving Brent Curtis in 2009 (fourth place, 100 freestyle) and Michael Hamann in 2013 (fourth, 200 IM) as the only Trojans swimmers with a better individual finish at state.

Castro also was part of the first two Trojans’ relays to medal. Castro, along with Drew Watson, Kasparas Venslauskas and Kameron Fadden, were seventh in the 200 medley relay. The Trojans’ 400 free relay of Castro, Watson, Dexter Zielinski and Fadden took 10th.

Castro claimed four state medals over three high school seasons, including a 10th-place medal as a sophomore in the 100 butterfly. There was no state meet held last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Castro also was named co-Most Valuable Swimmer, along with Huntley’s Ben Rocks, at this year’s Fox Valley Conference Invitational in which the Trojans captured their 14th conference championship in 15 seasons.

For his standout season, Castro has been named the 2022 Northwest Herald Boys Swimmer of the Year by the sports staff. Castro is the first Trojans swimmer to win the award since Ethan Hare in 2016. He spoke to the Northwest Herald about his senior season, state performances, dance moves and more.

What were you most proud of this season?

Castro: Definitely how well the team came together and how everyone was like each other’s best friends. I never expected that, so that was awesome.

What did you think of your state performance?

Castro: I was really excited. I went in fifth and I came out fifth. I knew the four guys ahead of me in the fly were going to be quick. I just went in (to preliminaries) trying to get my time down and then see what I can do that next day.

What did you do the day after state?

Castro: I got home at 7 and just hung out with friends. The next day, I woke up, went to the gym and I had to work because I need to make some money.

Who is your favorite professional athlete?

Castro: I like LeBron James, I think he’s cool. People hate on him, but I think that’s because he dominates.

What is something that scares you?

Castro: Not chasing my dreams or taking big risks.

Who is your biggest influence?

Castro: I don’t know if I can give you a name because there are lots of people. Anybody who has kind of been through it all, who’s had the hardest story to tell and they still look at the world as a beautiful place.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you bring with you?

Castro: I like mixing music, so I would definitely bring a speaker and my mixer. And I’d probably bring a camera.

How do you get ready for the big race?

Castro: I just like to do deep long breaths. It’s all a mental game. I used to slap my arms, now I just do deep long breaths. It kind of helps drift my mind away until I’m ready.

What is one food you can’t stand to eat?

Castro: Mayonnaise, that’s just gross to me. Anything creamy like that, mayo, ranch ... not my thing. Blue cheese, too. Disgusting.

What would be your dream job?

Castro: Any job where I can travel the world and experience all different types of cultures and life.

What is your least favorite race?

Castro: My least favorite is the 200 back just because the backstroke is more under the water than on top of the surface. My favorite is definitely the 100 fly. ... It’s so fast, and if you do it perfect, it’s so fun.

If you could hop in a time machine, what athletic contest would you most want to see?

Castro: I would want to go back and see Conor McGregor when he was in his prime. He was nuts.

What is something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

Castro: I’m trying to learn how to dance a little, like breakdance and hip-hop. Nothing too crazy.

What are you looking to improve the most for next season?

Castro: Drop a lot of time but not train so hard in practice. Not saying I want to slack off or anything, but I used to go all out every day. That’s what I was raised on. This year, I toned it down and told myself to slow down.

What will you remember most about your four years on the Cary-Grove co-op team?

Castro: Definitely the success we had, but also all of the friendships. It’s so much different than the club season. Club season is not so much about your team. It’s more on you. I really want to see the team next year killing it.